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The Enforcer!
20-04-06, 10:55 AM
Is there any source inEnglish that you can obtain:
1) Histories of Thai political parties?
2) Exactly who was elected on 02.04.06?
Thanks,
The Enforcer!
Also FEATURED FRONTPAGE
This is about the most heartening thing that has happened in Thai politics in years. Even if it is a phenomenon that doesn't last long. I'm told that the sole 'opposition' MP in the main election was also 'Khonkhoplodnee', so perhaps with four reps they really can claim to be an opposition:) ;):-
http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/04/25/politics/politics_30002435.php
Nine members of tiny parties win ballots
Nine members of tiny political parties look set to become MPs after the second round of voting on Sunday, despite being criticised as "decorative" opponents designed to enable Thai Rak Thai Party candidates to avoid the requirement of needing to win 20 per cent of votes.
Some of them talked to The Nation about their political activities.
Abdulkadir Jeh-useng, Narathiwat's Constituency 1, the Khonkhoplodnee Party (People's Party for Debt Forgiveness).
"I was confident I would win because voters wanted to end the political vacuum. They need someone to solve the violence in the South. More than half of the votes I got are from voters who don't want Thai Rak Thai or the Democrats," he said.
Abdulkadir denied his party was made up of Thai Rak Thai nominee candidates, saying he was one of the Khonkhoplodnee Party's founders and spent his own money to campaign.
Sopon Suapan, Krabi's Constituency 2, the Palang Dharma Party.
Sopon, 55, is a former director of the Don Muang Technical College. He said he wanted to be an opposition MP to counter the government, so he registered as a candidate in his hometown.
"I'm still excited and proud to win the highest vote. I want to argue with people who think I was a 'decorative' candidate. If I really was that I would have stayed at home after registration and would have never campaigned for the election," he said.
As a first-time winner, however, Sopon disagreed with caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra's idea to dissolve the House after a new round of political reform.
"The new PM shouldn't follow Thaksin's idea. I think the Parliament's term should depend on the people," he said.
Pleung Buasri, Phatthalung's Constituency 3, the Khonkhoplodnee Party.
After missing out in three previous polls, Pleung said he had triumphed in Sunday's election because it was a chance for small parties to win.
"I think farmers and voters who don't like the Thai Rak Thai candidates voted for me," he said.
As one of the three advisers for the Farmers' Debt Network of Thailand, Pleung led farmers to protest against the government about their debts 63 times over the past six years. "That was how people came to know about me, as I always fight for the poor."
Pornjanat Srirattananun, Phetchaburi's Constituency 1, the Khonkhoplodnee Party.
Pornjanat was in the spotlight after defeating Thai Rak Thai's Rajasak Klaiklueng - a friend of Thaksin's son Panthongtae - by nearly 7,000 votes.
Before last Sunday's election, voters in the province knew very little about her and she was considered an underdog candidate.
"I'm delighted to win the election. I want to say thank you to all voters," she said.
King endorses revocation of political ban
(BangkokPost.com) – His Majesty the King has endorsed the revocation of the 15th post-coup announcement which restricts registration of new political parties and limits all forms of political activity.
The move, which is expected to be announced in the Royal Gazette by Friday evening, will pave the way for group members to register as a new political party ahead of the general election.
The bill was imposed by the Council for Democratic Reform, which later changed the name to Council for National Security (CNS), on September 21, 2006 following the ouster of Thaksin Shinawatra.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120932
Banharn hunts for political heir
Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa was now looking for a political heir to take over his post.
At his 75th birthday anniversary, Banharn Sunday announced that anyone who wished to become the Chat Thai leader could step forward so that the leader's executive board could make a decision.
"You don't need to have money. You only need to be a good and competent person," Banharn said, adding that he wanted to retire from politics before the age of 80.
Banharn disclosed that he approached Pridiyathorn Devakula about this idea two years ago but Pridiyathorn did not state clearly whether he would take the mantle.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045663
Parties jockey for position
Published on August 21, 2007
The election race is on; no group is dominant like TRT, so wheeling and dealing is being ratcheted up.
With the success of the draft constitution in the referendum, politicians have already begun to jockey for opportunities by forging new groups and establishing power mergers to contest the upcoming election.
The Matchima Group and the Ruam Jai Thai have decided to merge and form a new party to run for the election, Anek Laothammatas said yesterday.
The high number of voters who rejected the draft in the stronghold of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party in the Northeast and the North have forced political groups and factions to unite. The Thai Rak Thai Party may have been dissolved but its politicians have gathered to create a new brand - the People Power Party.
Anek, a co-leader of Ruam Jai Thai, said his group had wanted to join forces with Matchima for a long time because Matchima had strength in remote constituencies, while his group had power in city constituencies.
He said that following the result of the referendum vote a merger was the best option for both groups.
Matchima leader Somsak Thepsuthin said his group was ready to merge with Ruam Jai Thai to be "an alternative party" because there is only the junta and the Thai Rak Thai group.
He said he had talked to Ruam Jai Thai leader Pradit Pattharaprasit about a working strategy, adding he had also asked both the Saman Chan group and the Pracharaj Party to join the new entity.
When asked about a possible move to combine the People Power Party, Somsak said it was too soon to talk about it.
Pracharaj party leader Snoh Thienthong remain reserved about making a commitment, but admitted Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai had asked his party to join them.
"The political situation is not clear yet. It is always changing and we will have to talk again," he said.
Sophon Phetsawang, a key member of Matchima, said Somsak told members he would lead the group to join with the three factions to establish a new party.
Thai Rak Thai group member Kuthep Saikrajang said the merging of the four groups was not a surprise because following the vote, a number of groups would have to combine to create any unity.
"Thai Rak Thai had the idea to get each group to join with us, but they now want to form their own groups," he said.
Kuthep said it was admirable if the intention to merge was genuine, but it would be a pity if the four factions only came together after receiving a green light from the military.
TRT group core member, Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday called on the government to hold the election in December and urged the state to lift martial law - except in the deep South. The Election Commission should prepare the upcoming poll to be more efficient than the national referendum, he said.
Surapong said the group plans to propose that constitution drafters should come "from the people" to amend the 2007 charter for the next elected government.
Ban Rim Nam faction key member, Chalermchai Urankul said the faction had placed themselves under Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, but were not sure whether Chavalit would form a new party or move to join with the People Power Party.
Ban Rim Nam is led by Suchart Tancharoen and Sora-at Klinprathum - both members of the People Power Party.
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said the party would hold a meeting on Monday to discuss its campaign for the election.
Meanwhile, Wadah group leader Muk Sulaiman said his members, who were former Thai Rak Thai MPs, had decided to join the Matchima group because they wanted to gain more support in the deep South.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that within two weeks a number of new political parties would start registering, which was good for the people because they would have more choices.
He said if the Democrats won the election he would establish a coalition government with any parties that wanted to serve the country.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/21/headlines/headlines_30045852.php
Snoh denies he plans to merge Pracharaj with Matchima
Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong denied Tuesday that he planned to dissolve his Pracharaj Party to merge with the Matchima Group of Somsak Thepsutin.
He said his party had already been established so there was no need for him to dissolve it to merge with any group or party.
He admitted that talks on merger had been held with the group several times but there was no breakthrough.
"How could I be supposed to dissolve my party to merge with a group?" Snoh asked.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045863
Also see previous post:
Ruam Jai Thai allies with Matchima: Pradit
Pradit Phattaraprasit, a leading member of the Ruam Jai Thai Group, said Tuesday that his group had agreed to become an ally with the Matchima Group of Somsak Thepsutin.
He said negotiations are still going on with other groups and parties and the talks should be concluded within this month.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045864
Sanoh shoots down merger claims
(BangkokPost.com) - Sanoh Thienthong has laughed off rumours that the Matchima and the Ruam Jai Thai political groups have asked his Pracharat political party to merge with them, saying “it doesn’t make sense.”
On Monday, Matchima group leader Somsak Thepsuthin announced plans to merge with the Ruam Jai Thai political group following the outcome of Sunday’s referendum. Somsak said the decision was intended to provide the public with a third alternative in the polls.
Of claims that the Pracharat party had also been invited to join, Sanoh said “it should be the other way round.”
“They should come and merge with us, since we are already a political party,” he argued. “It was difficult enough to get a new name, so why would we want to change it again? The other thing is, who did they have in mind to lead this new political party? If they can find someone who is more capable than I am, then fair enough. If not, it would just be a waste of time for us.”
Sanoh vowed to continue to work hard for his party, which he founded over a year ago.
“Political rumours are just confusing for everyone, including my party members,” he said.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121008
Related thread on the date for the election and the registration procedure for parties:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=16615#post16615
Is this a classic case of Sanoh being miffed because the Matchima wallies dared to talk to his old adversary Sanan Kachornprasart at the same time? These two truly hate each other's guts:
Snoh miffed, but Pradit hopeful
Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong yesterday likened the collapse of his alliance with the Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai groups to a political "offside trap".
"Instead of sealing a deal first, Matchima held a press conference on a planned alliance, causing much confusion among Pracharaj supporters," he said.
Snoh ruled out the possibility of dissolving his party in order to join a newly-formed party. He said that before the August 19 referendum, he had had a series of talks with key figures from the two factions, including Somkid Jatusripitak, Somsak Thepsuthin and Pradit Pataraprasith.
"Initially, I saw a great possibility for an alliance but later things changed because Somkid and Somsak were banned from the electoral process for five years due to the electoral fraud verdict."
He said the alliance, as initially discussed, would have included the Saman Chan Group, led by Suwat Liptapanlop, Suwit Khunkitti, Pinij Charusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana.
Meanwhile, Pradit said the two factions would go ahead and form a new party aimed at becoming a third choice for voters. He expected the party registration process to commence some time next week in order to allow time to gather supporters from other groups.
Pradit admitted to having planned to recruit the Saman Chan Group and Mahachon, the party led by Sanan Kachornprasart, to join his banner.
He was optimistic that his colleagues Somkid and Somsak would eventually convince Snoh to be part of the alliance.
"Snoh wants his Pracharaj Party to be the shell for the new party, but I don't think the naming issue should be overblown," he said, adding party leaders would be sorted out after the registration process was done.
The soon-to-be formed party would welcome former MPs as well as aspiring candidates to contest the elections under its banner, he said.
As a rule of thumb, some 30 per cent of former MPs usually fail to get re elected, so there was plenty of room for newcomers, he said.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok 50 Group, led by Suranand Vejjajiva and Kunthon Prachuabmoh, announced it would decide in two weeks whether to join the new party.
The Nation
Sanan Kachornprasart
I've cut out the initial part of this article about Sanoh being miffed, and Samak [http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=16627#post16627] crowing that the junta can't kill TRT. Nothing new there! But how do all these new party names translate into English, I'm wondering? Here are a few none-too-serious guesses. I'd be glad if anyone would like to correct these or translate some of the others below:
Pracharaj = Royal People's Party
Palang Prachachon = People Power [http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=16627#post16627]
Phandin Thai = Thai Mother Earth ? (Thai Soil ?)
Thai Ruam Thai = Thais United ?
Satri Thai = Thai Ladies ;)
Rak Phandinthai Party = No Place Like Home Party ?
Thai Rak Thai = Thai Party of 'Luv' ?
Naew Sangkhom = The Social Frontline Party ?
Nam Withee = Pathfinder Party ?
Chong Mee Siam = Siam Forever! ?
Puang Prachatham = Busybees Party ?
Thaitham = Thai Style Party ?
Chat Pattana = National Development Party
Matchima Thippatai = Middle Way Sovereignty Party
Ruam Jai Thai = All Thai Hearts Beat As One Party ?
Chat Thai = Thai Nation Party
Saman Chan = Reconciliation Party
Ruk Chart = Patriotic Party ?
Baan Rim Nam = Little House on the Khlongside Party ?
Mahachon = Party of the Masses :confused: [Isn't running a chateau just a tad decadent for this party's leader?]
.........
Also yesterday, former Senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua made a surprise move by applying for the leadership of a party slated for disbandment.
In his application, Suchon also requested a name change from the Rak Phandinthai Party to Thai Ruam Thai Party, the name originally planned by the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party before deciding on People Power Party.
"I am surprised by the request for Thai Ruam Thai, although I don't suspect a scheme to use the name to prevent others from using it later," Election Commission (EC) member Sodsri Satayatham said.
Sodsri said the EC was obliged to complete its review of Suchon's application within 30 days.
Should the party be dissolved because of the ongoing litigation on electoral fraud, then its old and new names would not be allowed to be re-used, she said.
Yesterday seven new parties applied to register with the EC, which is designated as the party registrar. The process is expected to be completed within 30 days.
The seven new groups were Naew Sangkhom, Nam Withee, Chong Mee Siam, Puang Prachatham, Satree Thai, Thaitham and Chat Pattana.
The registration of Chat Pattana is meant to revive the party after it became a faction of Thai Rak Thai in a merger.
Political newcomer Piyawat Limpabhandhu said he wanted to carry on the party's legacy involving his father Prapas Limpabhandhu as one of the founders.
He denied speculation he revived Chat Pattana as a campaign option for Saman Chan group leader Suwat Liptapanlop. Suwat was the party leader before joining the former ruling party.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/22/headlines/headlines_30046023.php
BangkokPundit
22-08-07, 04:41 PM
Is this a classic case of Sanoh being miffed because the Matchima wallies dared to talk to his old adversary Sanan Kachornprasart at the same time? These two truly hate each other's guts:
Actually, the interview with Snoh is hilarious, he huffed and puffed and said he won't join up with them as "Snoh Thienthong" wouldn't do that. He referred to himself in the third person, using his full name, about a half a dozen times with a raised voice.
National Legislative Assembly (NLA) member Chai-Anan Samudvanija:
..........“I believe that there will be the same old faces in the next general election even after the new charter has been introduced,” he said. “I’ve noticed that in every election new faces only account for about 15% of the total number of MP’s."
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121035
In the report below, it looks like they practically had to drag Chavalit out of his coffin to be party boss. Next time someone buries 'Big Jiew', be sure to drive a stake through his heart before you bolt the lid down and pour a few truckloads of ready-mix in over the top! Good God! Is this supposed to be a DEMOCRATIC party?:
Chavalit favoured to lead Matchima
Published on August 23, 2007
General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh became the favoured candidate to head an alliance of the Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai groups yesterday after he was approached by one of its key members.
Chavalit, in return, said he welcomed all "invitations" for a re-entry into politics. He said national reconciliation was the top issue on his agenda.
Ruam Jai Thai group leader Pradit Pataraprasit said he had been "on tour" to invite other smaller groups to join the alliance.
Asked if he had approached Chavalit, Pradit said he had not met Chavalit for awhile although he had consulted him about the political situation but had not come to "a conclusion".
But former Parliament president Uthai Pimchaichon had accepted an offer to become a party adviser, he said.
A source in Matchima confirmed that Pradit had approached Chavalit to become the new leader of the alliance ahead of registering with the Election Commission as the "Matchima Thippatai Party" next Tuesday.
Pradit also approached the Saman Chan group under Suwat Liptapanlop, and the Pracharaj Party under veteran Snoh Thienthong to join the new party, the source said.
Chavalit said he had never closed the door on politics but would not establish a new party as there were more than 30 existing already.
If he re-entered politics, he would not become leader of the People Power Party (PPP) because it already had Samak Sundaravej as its leader, he said.
Chavalit said he had talked with several political groups. If any of them wanted to reconcile the divided nation then he would join either Ruam Jai Thai, Matchima or Saman Chan. He also believed the three groups would finally end up as one.
"If any party wants my help, it should have a clear policy of national reconciliation," Chavalit insisted. "The position is not important to me."
He warned that confrontation between supporters of Thaksin and the coup leaders would not improve after the election unless both sides took a step back and compromised with each other.
"Don't take forgiveness as a defeat," Chavalit said. "Forgiving someone will be a great victory, which only true heroes can do. We desperately need a party that raises a flag of national reconciliation."
He had kept warning people, but was not sure if they listened to him.
Chavalit refused to comment on speculation he was a frontrunner to become the next elected prime minister because of the need to restore national unity.
Chavalit faded from the political scene after a rift with Thaksin while serving in the government before the February 2005 election.
He was back in spotlight shortly after the coup last year when he verbally attacked the coup leaders over their alleged attempts to abuse authority by controlling state-owned and state-sponsored enterprises.
Chavalit became the front-runner to lead the new alliance following the merger on Monday of Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai, led by Somsak Thepsuthin and Pradit respectively.
It was the day after the national referendum and results of the vote showed support for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and former TRT MPs - now mostly with the People Power Party - was still strong in the North and Northeast.
Asked about top-brass generals and failed attempts at national reconciliation and possible entry into politics, Chavalit said military officials or ordinary citizens were not the problem.
"The problem is their attitude toward reconciliation," he said.
As to whether junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin would stand in the election, Chavalit said Sonthi was very conscious that people were suspicious of his intention to retain military power. He believed Sonthi would not enter politics.
Chavalit said he had talked with Thaksin as the deposed premier approached him to lead the PPP. But he rejected the offer, he said.
Reconciliation would not include cancelling all legal charges against Thaksin, he said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/23/headlines/headlines_30046167.php
Are we finally getting to seeing Major General Chamlong in his true colors? The doyen of the 1992 movement shacked up with a completely unrepentent assassin:
Panlop quits Rak Chat over rejection of allies
Published on August 23, 2007
Security adviser General Panlop Pinmanee yesterday announced his decision to part company with the Rak Chat Party, seen as a military proxy, although he might still keep his political ambitions open by forming a new party himself.
Panlop justified his decision by saying the party had made an about-turn in rejecting membership applications from his two military allies - Maj General Chamlong Srimuang and Maj General Manoonkrit Roopkachorn.
The three soldiers, Panlop, Chamlong and Manoonkrit, are graduates from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy Class 7 and have been active in politics since the 1980s.
Maintaining an office in the Internal Security Operations Command, Panlop is presently adviser to junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. - The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/23/regional/regional_30046174.php
.....
But how do all these new party names translate into English, I'm wondering? Here are a few none-too-serious guesses. I'd be glad if anyone would like to correct these or translate some of the others below:
Pracharaj = Royal People's Party
Palang Prachachon = People Power [http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=16627#post16627]
Phandin Thai = Thai Motherland ? (Thai Soil ?)
Thai Ruam Thai = Thais United ?
Satri Thai = Thai Ladies ;)
Rak Phandinthai Party = No Place Like Home Party ?
Thai Rak Thai = Thai Party of 'Luv' ?
Naew Sangkhom = The Social Frontline Party ?
Nam Withee = Pathfinder Party ?
Chong Mee Siam = Siam Forever! ?
Puang Prachatham = Busybees Party ?
Thaitham = Thai Style Party ?
Chat Pattana = National Development Party
Matchima = Middle Way Party
Ruam Jai Thai = All Thai Hearts Beat As One Party ?
Chat Thai = Thai Nation Party
Saman Chan = Reconciliation Party
Ruk Chart = For the 'Luv' of the Nation Party ?
Baan Rim Nam = Little House on the Klongside Party ?
Thai Talk: What's in a name in politics? Read it upside down
Published on August 23, 2007
Thai political designations are mostly misnomers. You have to read them backwards or sideways. Their names suggest that the opposite meaning is usually the case.
"Thais Love Thais" ended up creating so much hatred between its admirers and detractors that the country was thrown into total chaos.
The "Democrat Party", was, despite its name, in no position to oppose the September 19, 2006 coup. Other considerations took precedence over a basic democratic stance.
"New Hope" dashed all expectations of a better political future for the country. Not long after its founding, the party was dubbed "Shrinking Hope". Its demise came before any hope was realised. Its "merger" with Thai Rak Thai effectively killed any hope, old or new, real or imagined.
Palang Prachachon, or "People Power", is the name of a party that says it's taking lots of ex-Thai Rak Thai members because of their similarities in election platforms. One wonders whether the "power" that brought about the major makeover for the party had anything to do with the so-called "people". Or is it "Other People's Power?"
There is an open attempt by a faction of the former Thai Rak Thai to use the name "Thai Ruam Thai" - meaning "Thais Uniting Thais". That's ostensibly a misleading name. Disunity and divisiveness have been the hallmark of this party's activities all along. The hidden agenda, of course, is that if they could get that name registered, they could then use the "TRT" abbreviation, the same as that of the dissolved party.
Again, the literal meaning of the designation, has nothing whatsoever to do with what the party's operatives intend to do anyway.
And there is the "Patriotic Party" (Rak Chat), which seems more inclined towards promoting a certain military leader than patriotism. Instead of telling us what this grouping represents, the leader posed a highly provocative question: "What's wrong with asking General Sonthi [Boonyaratglin, the coup leader] to join this party once he takes off his military uniform?" There's nothing wrong with that, except that it's kind of bizarre for a political party to make that almost its single biggest platform.
Now, with frantic attempts to create a "Third Force" in full steam, some of the titles given to new political groupings seem intended to amuse more than to be taken seriously, no matter if read literally or figuratively.
A new party with a name meaning "the middle path" clearly plans to take sides without a second thought, as soon as they know who's forming the next government after the general election. And there is no doubt that they would avoid any grouping that even appears remotely to be heading for opposition status.
The logic for calling yourself a "middle-way politician", while you are clearly partial in favour of the powers-that-be, is very simple: "In the opposition camp, you simply starve." (That's the famous quote from someone leading a party with a name that declares "nationhood" to be its main policy, another not-so-accurate moniker.)
The other grouping trying to jump onto the bandwagon calls itself "Ruam Jai Thai" (literally "Uniting All Thai Hearts"). While it's not clear who their founding members are, it's obvious that what unites them isn't "matters of the heart" but rather the hope to succeed in the game of vote canvassing.
Yet another party that has been invited to join this "alternative party" is called "Mahachon" or "the Masses". The fact that they managed to win only one or two seats in the previous election could hardly entitle the party to claim that its public support was in any way "massive".
In fact, calling itself an "alternative grouping" is a wrong designation in the first place. You don't describe yourself as an alternative when your only clear party platform is to become part of the next government at all cost.
Of course, the "Third Force" is a wrong description to start with. It's neither the "third" in the desperate line-up to vie for some seats in the next Cabinet - or a real political "force" to reckon with. So far, for lack of a better term, it is no more than an electioneering catchword.
Good old politicking is back. All electioneers unite! You have nothing to lose but your incredible claims to patriotism and devotion to democracy.
Suthichai Yoon
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/23/opinion/opinion_30046141.php
Rather delusional stuff from a pair of the oldest political powerswingers in town.
Incidentally, there was a great deal of banter on Channel 3's midnight current affairs program that Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has been doing something to improve his looks prior to re-entering politics. The word 'collagen' was being tossed around with gay abandon; although I have to say that it looked as if the two anchors were really just playing up a personal joke rather than tapping into any rumor mill. That said, he did seem to have acquired a rather more rounded 'babyface' appearance in the interview that was shown. It seemed to suit him, which perhaps suggests that he now has the right face to fit to his often rather childish brand of politics. Previously, he tended to look like some wise old owl, which was completely at variance with the reality:
Sanoh: I'm holding everything together
(BangkokPost.com) – Leader of the Pracharaj party Sanoh Thienthong described his party’s role as a central link between opposing political forces.
“In my role as leader of the Pracharaj party, I believe that I also play a significant role in holding everything together,” he said after former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh came out to claim in public that he is acting as the country's mediator by holding opposing sides together.
Mr Sanoh refused to comment on speculation that former army commander Chetta Thanajaro is preparing to lead the Pracharaj party, saying only that a party meeting will be held 0n September 20.
“Gen Chetta is a senior member of our party and we will have to discuss each member’s role within the party at next month’s meeting,” he said.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121050
Can we now look forward to Sanoh undergoing Botox treatment to smooth out all those worry wrinkles? Some would say that his rather lined face is a result of years of using politics as a means to protect his own business interests.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/230807_front.jpg
[Photo: Bangkok Post - Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh airs his political views before reporters. Gen Chavalit yesterday gave a lecture on Thai politics to post-graduates at Ramkhamhaeng University. — SOMCHAI POOMLARD]
This is definitely the interview I saw on TV Channel 3 last night.The head-on TV camera angle probably made Big Jiew's new face rather more obvious.
Rather delusional stuff from a pair of the oldest political powerswingers in town.
Incidentally, there was a great deal of banter on Channel 3's midnight current affairs program that Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has been doing something to improve his looks prior to re-entering politics. The word 'collagen' was being tossed around with gay abandon; although I have to say that it looked as if the two anchors were really just playing up a personal joke rather than tapping into any rumor mill. That said, he did seem to have acquired a rather more rounded 'babyface' appearance in the interview that was shown. It seemed to suit him, which perhaps suggests that he now has the right face to fit to his often rather childish brand of politics. Previously, he tended to look like some wise old owl, which was completely at variance with the reality.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121050
Can we now look forward to Sanoh undergoing Botox treatment to smooth out all those worry wrinkles? Some would say that his rather lined face is a result of years of using politics as a means to protect his own business interests.
One of the things that Chavalit managed to say in his interview yesterday (see previous post) was that he was in regular telephone contact with Thaksin Shinawatra; and that the ousted PM had asked him on several occasions to head up whatever main political grouping arose from the ashes of his disbanded Thai Ruk Thai Party:
Suthep doubts Chavalit's political motives
(BangkokPost.com) – Democrat Party veteran Suthep Thaugsuban has cast doubt on Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyut’s suggestion that he was the “mediator” between the country’s two opposing political forces, claiming the former prime minister was doing it to help Mr Thaksin Shinawatra.
Secretary-general of the Democrat party admitted he was suspicious about Gen Chavalit’s motives should he be making a political comeback as speculated. His cautiousness is perhaps justified given the fact that Gen Chavalit is known to enjoy a very close relationship with the former Prime Minister Thaksin.
“We don’t know what Gen Chavalit is up to and it would be best to keep a close eye on his movements as well as the movements of all the political groups.”
Despite questioning Gen Chavalit’s intentions, Mr Suthep insisted the Democrat party is ready to co-operate with any political group except those with direct links to the now defunct Thai Rak Thai party.
“The Democrat party is ready to take on anyone regardless of when the general election is held. We will unveil our election candidates next month.”
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121056
Forget the boring headline. Cut to paragraph 3:
Matchima Thippatai to register next week
(BangkokPost.com) - Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai political groups will register under Matchima Thippatai political party with the Election Commission (EC) on August 28, Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham said Thursday.
Mrs Sodsri said the groups have already contacted the EC, expressing their intention to register a new party name.
She added that the EC has also been contacted by army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol who planned to register a political party under his name "Seh Daeng."
However, Mrs Sodsri said the EC will not allow the use of a person's name as the name of a political party.
She added that Maj-Gen Khattiya's intention to form a political party, which is to monitor other organisations without having candidates to run for election, is against the EC's rules.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121059
Seh Daeng yesterday received a suspended jail sentence:
Court hands down suspended jail term against Kattiya
The Criminal Court Wednesday found Maj Gen Kattiya Sawasdiphol, a senior army officer, guilty of defaming acting national police chief Poj Gen Seripisut Temiyavej.
The court found that Kattiya, a specialist attached to the Army Headquarters, guilty of defaming Sersipisut during his interview to TiTV on February 23 last year.
The court initially sentenced Kattiaya to three months in jail but suspended the jail term and put him on probation for three years.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of Bt10,000 and publish the ruling in three Thai-language newspapers for a week.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30046031
Wisarut
23-08-07, 08:07 PM
Prasong Warnign Big Jew that He shouyld NEVER be a puppet for Ai maew by becomign reconcile factor
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000099419
National Legislative playign a new role as prvisional Opposite Party
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000099392
Chai Anan Wanign that the current Old Politicking will allow the Rewsurrection of Thaksin Regime - becomign More vogorious than ever ... unless the Assasin Biullet's terminating the life of Ai maew
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000099401
What has Sae Daeng been getting up to since this morning? it wasn't at clear from either this report or the TV footage of him surrendering himself at the CSD. Can anyone give us a few more facts? It looks as if 'someone' made some derogatory remarks about the court on the Sae Daeng website after he received a suspended jail sentence yesterday. Report from 17:00. There's another report beneath from 16:00:
23 August 2007
Maj Gen Khattiya turns himself in at the CSD
Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol (ขัตติยะ สวัสดิผล) turns himself in to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) after the Criminal Court has filed charges of 'contempt of court' against him.
Maj. Gen. Khattiya admits that he is the owner of the www.sae-dang.com, informing that it is a public website where people can express their opinions. However, he affirms that he has never uses a pseudo name called Than Pao (ท่านเปา).
Maj Gen Khattiya says he will reject all allegations and will defend himself in court.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008230044
This is a report from 16:00:
23 August 2007
Maj Gen Khattiya warned not to set up a political party or violate the law
Royal Thai Police Commissioner General Seripisut Temiyavet (เสรพิศุทธ์ เตมียาเวส) has warned Army Senior Advisor Maj.Gen.Khattiya Sawasdipol (ขัตติยะ สวัสดิผล) not to set up a political party or he will be sentenced.
In response to Maj.Gen. Khattiya’s plan to set up a political party to scrutinize the Royal Thai Police, Gen Seripisut says that it is upon Maj.Gen Khattiya’s right. However, his case has not be finalized yet. Therefore, he is banned from launching any form of movement or political party.
Maj. Gen. Khattiya earlier launched a website criticizing the Royal Thai Army.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter04
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008230036
Related post about Sae Daeng's earlier attempts to register a political party:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=16654&postcount=15
The ex-Thai Ruk Thai political grouping finally got the leader they deserve:;)
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/24/p1news/images/30046375-01.jpg
Photo: The Nation - Newly-elected leader of People Power Party Samak Sundaravej greets his party members on Friday after he won 80-33 in a party election for the new leader.//Vorawit Pumpuang
People Power elects Samak as leader
The People Power Party Friday elected Samak Sundaravej as its new leader.
Samak was elected with 80 to 33 votes during the assembly of the party held at Centara Hotel at Central World Plaza.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30046362
Samak's other recent political and actual pratfalls:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2694
It's worth noting that the elected others are mostly relative unknowns - not surprisingly after so many Thai Ruk Thai executives were recently banned from politics. But never fear, as Noppadol Pattama (just one of Thaksin's lawyers) is there to make sure they all toe the Shinawatra line. There's even a Wongsawat, who is presumably an inlaw of Khunying Pojaman - Thaksin's wife. That's always assuming that Samak doesn't become a loose cannon (always a possibility for such a self-assured person) and try to run the party his way:
Samak elected People Power leader
Samak Sundaravej was Friday elected as the new leader of the People Power Party.
He was elected with 80 votes, beating the other candidate, Karn Thiankaew, who received 33 votes.
Samak was elected during a party assembly held at the Centara Hotel at Central World Plaza.
During the assembly, the party also elected its new executive board as following:
Party leader: Samak Sundaravej
Deputy leaders:
1) Yongyuth Tiyapairaj
2) Karn Thiankaew
3) Chaiya Sasomsup
4) Somchai Wongsawat
5) Sompong Amornwiwat
6) Ruangroj Mahasaranont
7) Samphan Lertnuwat
8) Prasong Burnapong
9) Supaporn Thiankaew
10) Suwat Wansirikul
Secretary-general: Surapong Suebwonglee
Deputy secretary-generals:
1) Chusak Sirinil
2) Noppadol Patama
3) Anusorn Wongwan
4) Sukhumpong Ngonkham
Treasurer: Songkram Kijlertpairoj
Spokesman: Kuthep Saikrajang
Party executives:
1) Srimuang Charoensiri
2) Sutha Chansaeng
3) Mongkok Kimsoonjan
4) Waipoj Arpornrat
5) Songsak Thongsri
6) Samarn Lertwongrat
7) Nisit Sinthuprai
8) Thirachai Saenkaew
9) Wirapol Adireksarn
10) Suthin Klangsaeng
11) Itthi Sirilatthayakorn
12) Malinee Phutasueb
13) Piyarat Thiankaew
14) Saranya Saengwima
15) Manaspreeya Phutaseub
16) Karnnicha Taemdee
17) Kittikorn Lohsunthorn
18) Boonlua Prasert Sopha
19) Pichet Tancharoen
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/24/politics/politics_30046380.php
.....
Mr Samak, who received 80 out of 113 votes, said after the victory that he will repair a "roof" of a party that has been under attack in the past five years.
.....
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121079
With Samak there is always the distinct possibility that he could bring down the roof by acting in his normal arrogant manner. As for Thai Ruk Thai being under attack (Samak clearly see no differences at all between the two parties) for five years, it is worth pointing out that the party enjoyed almost no real opposition for most of that period. That said, the report below says that Samak actually said that the 'roof' was in good order for five years. I note that most TRT detractors seem to have been far more worried about rats in the kitchen, or even who exactly the head of the household was:
Mr Samak also said the PPP will offer itself to the public to help “repair the roof of the country” which was in good shape for five years, but was destroyed by the coup-makers.
He added that his party will not use canvassers in the forthcoming election, to avoid allegations of vote-buying.
The party has attracted some prominent supporters. They included former military supreme commander Gen Ruangroj Mahasaranont, who was an early adviser to the junta immediately after the military coup that ousted Mr Thaksin last Sept 19.
Gen Ruangroj said he joined the PPP because he wanted to work for the betterment of the country, especially in the field of national security. He stressed that this does not mean that he is now on Mr Thaksin’s side and becomes an enemy of the CNS - although this is exactly what most observers will think.
Potjanee Na Pompetch, mother of Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra, also showed up at the meeting. Mrs Potjanee was quoted in media reports as saying that she came to give moral support to the PPP members.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of Democrat party, said his party will not work with the PPP because it is only a nominee party of the exiled Mr Thaksin.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121083
I surprised that Abhisit even bothered to acknowledge PPP's choice of leader, but real politick here frequently dictates that one has to politely acknowledge the work of those with whom one would seem to have little in common.
Wisarut
24-08-07, 10:03 PM
Thai Politcal Soap Opera with full of thsoe power hungry men who keep LYING no matter what happen to them.
http://www.manager.co.th/Entertainment/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000099385
Sondhi Limthongkul Point otu that TRT men are regrouping ... ready to launch Offensive ATTACKS in 2008.
http://www.manager.co.th/Home/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000099949
Gen WInai Phatthiyakul Point otu that TRT men are regrouping to launch Offensive Attack in 2008
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6273/12/
Pap Sanoh warnign politicians who are abotu to Joint Palang Prachachon abotu the evil deeds of thsoe TRT men in Palang Prachachon Power
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6281/12/
nganadeeleg
25-08-07, 06:50 AM
Samak has the arrogance to take over from Thaksin, but what about the money to hold things together?
Are they still relying on Thaksin's money, or have they found new benefactors?
:D
What has Sae Daeng been getting up to since this morning? it wasn't at clear from either this report or the TV footage of him surrendering himself at the CSD. Can anyone give us a few more facts? It looks as if 'someone' made some derogatory remarks about the court on the Sae Daeng website after he received a suspended jail sentence yesterday. Report from 17:00. There's another report beneath from 16:00:
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008230044
This is a report from 16:00:
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008230036
Related post about Sae Daeng's earlier attempts to register a political party:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=16654&postcount=15
Soldier sees red over 'no' to party's name
Published on August 25, 2007
A senior Army officer yesterday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to review its rejection of the proposed name for his newly formed party.
"The EC, particularly its member Sodsri Satayatham, should try to understand the name without having any personal bias," Army expert Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdiphol said.
Khattiya had asked to name his party "Se Daeng".
Sodsri objected to the name on the grounds of not naming a party after an individual. "Se Daeng" is Khattiya's alias.
In his rebuttal, Khattiya said Sodsri had misunderstood the name. "Se" is actually a Thai abbreviation for a staff position meant for planning and strategy, while "Daeng" means the colour red, signalling patriotism, he said.
He also dismissed the allegation that he wanted to form the party in order to pocket the subsidised funds for political parties.
"My party is a mass movement for young men who want to serve society, although they are not ready to contest the elections," he said, claiming that in the initial stage his party would be a political institution designed to get involved in civic issues.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/25/politics/politics_30046465.php
27 August 2007
CDC Chairman warns Mr Samak to be cautious with his remarks
Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), Sqn.Ldr.Prasong Soonsiri (ประสงค์ สุ่นศิริ), warns Leader of the People Power Party Samak Sundaravej (สมัคร สุนทรเวช) to watch his words as they might violate the three organic laws of the constitution.
The CDC chairman issued his warning in response to Mr Samak’s interview with the press, indicating that he represents deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (ทักษิณ ชินวัตร) and the executives of disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party. Sqn.Ldr.Prasong added that Mr Samak’s interview might adversely hit on himself and the party.
Regarding rumors that there are transactions of many millions baht of money for vote buying in the general election, the chairman said the government will investigate the matter after the three organic laws of the constitution have been passed. He also requested the Election Commission and provincial administrative officials to closely monitor the situation.
As for movements of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against the People Power Party, Sqn.Ldr.Prasong said that PAD has the right to protest against the party and he is ready to stand by its side to prevent the return of the so-called “Thaksin system”.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter05
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008270017
Samak gets a caution
PPP says leader was referring to foreign business
Published on August 27, 2007
People Power Party leader Samak Sunda-ravej was warned yesterday claims he could become a "nominee" of former prime minister Thaksin Shina-watra could land him or his party in legal hot water.
The formerly small and little-known party is now viewed as the new home of former Thai Rak Thai members of Parliament and Thaksin supporters.
Shortly after being named leader on Friday, Samak said he was unperturbed at being considered a Thaksin nominee and hinted he planned to avenge the deposed prime minister.
Many party figures, however, tried to explain later that Samak was not a proxy for the ousted leader.
Election Commission member Sodsri Satayathum said yesterday Samak had not committed any election offence.
However, she warned any further moves on the nominee issue could land him in legal trouble.
"If later he commits such an offence and people complain, we can investigate," she said.
Sodsri added that under the new Constitution, Samak's actions could be viewed as a threat to the political system; an of-fence, if convicted, that carries a punishment of party dissolution.
She said the commission would ask Samak to explain reports he had accepted Bt1 billion from Thaksin to be his nominee. "I believe it is not hard to find evidence because politicians are fighting hard to win the next election. They will reveal what happens,'' she said.
Nurak Mapraneet, a member of the special committee drafting new organic laws for the election, has warned Samak's actions could be in violation of these when effective.
A special committee headed by Prasong Soonsiri is considering the organic laws.
According to Article 82 of the Political Parties Bill, executives of any party punished by dissolution are banned from involvement in politics.
"In the case of Samak, if it can be proved he is a nominee of Thaksin, Samak would be breaking the law," he said.
People Power spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang defended his leader. Samak was discussing nominees of foreign businesses in local companies, he said.
Samak attributed much growth in the economy to huge foreign direct investment.
In the past, foreign ownership of locally registered companies was limited to 25 per cent, compared with 49 per cent at present.
"Our party will continue the policies of Thai Rak Thai which benefited the people," he said.
"Thai Rak Thai party founder Thaksin established the changes in foreign ownership and, therefore, 'nominee' in this case is not Thaksin, but his policies," the spokesman explained.
He said the party knew which actions broke political-party laws and Samak would not commit political suicide.
He reiterated the party was not a "nominee of Thaksin or anyone".
Meanwhile, People Power rivals warned yesterday that Samak's announcement would create disharmony.
Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Popular Campaign for Democracy, said the veteran politician's comments suggested he aimed to restore Thaksin to power.
He said Samak should have announced a vision to solve national problems instead of declaring he would be a Thaksin puppet.
"It is a dangerous political comment and will create disharmony in the country again," he said.
Suriyasai said if political chaos returned, perhaps the People's Alliance for Democracy might reform in order to push Thai politics forward under the Constitution law.
The Democrat Party agreed with Suriyasai. Secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said he could never have made an announcement like Samak about representing the former prime minister in carrying out political activities.
He said the Democrats could join a coalition with any political party with similar political ideologies and stands, but not the People Power Party.
He said the Democrats' ideology was vastly different to People Power's.
"We can be an opposition party forever but we won't follow those who have damaged the country," Suthep said.
Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon yesterday said at a press conference it appeared from Samak's comments that the People Power Party leader wants to play aggressive politics, which is his hallmark.
Democrat deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha said the comments would only create more conflict.
Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachonprasart said during the party's annual convention he was not concerned about Samak saying Thai Rak Thai had now become the People Power Party and it would be up to the people whether to vote for it.
"The people will judge in the election whether they want to see harmony or disharmony and which parties should be selected," he said.
He said his party would not join a coalition with People Power because it could not accept the ideas of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.
In a related development, former House speaker Uthai Pimchaichon said yesterday Samak's statement would help people decide which political camp they supported.
"I believe what he did was good for the people. They can use their judgement because Thaksin was part of the country's problems,'' he said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/27/politics/politics_30046616.php
CDC chief in favour of PAD comeback
(BangkokPost.com) – Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Prasong Soonsiri said Monday he is in favour of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s plan to regroup to prevent the possible return of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to power.
The PAD steered months of street protests to oust Mr Thaksin last year.
“These people can obviously see that the Thaksin regime is slowly creeping its way back into power especially after Samak Sundaravej came out to say he is Thaksin's nominee,'' Prasong said, adding "that is why the PAD are planning to regroup.”
He has also warned Samak that he is putting his political future on the line by admitting that the People’s Power party is a political nominee of Thaksin.
It is clearly written in the constitution that such an act would be illegal.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121145
The date for the General Election has now been scheduled by the Government and Electoral Commission. Over three more months of this high farce to come, after which the farce of elected government will set in:;)
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=16726#post16726
No need to lift martial law: Prasong
There is no need to lift martial law still effective in 35 provinces before the general election, said Prasong Soonsiri, member of the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) who chairs the special committee reviewing three draft organic bills required before the general elections.
"It's not necessary. Maintaining martial law may better help keep peace and order," Prasong told reporters Wednesday.
"Especially now that the Thai Rak Thai group is trying to have it lifted, they may have some intention and want some convenience ... so we can't allow it."
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30046985
Snoh to step down as Pracharaj leader next month
The Pracharaj Party would hold an annual meeting on September 20 at Impact Muang Thong Thani, which a new party leader would succeed veteran Snoh Thienthong, a key party member said Thursday.
Suchart Bandasak said Snoh would step down on that day as the new party's board would be selected along with the new leader.
Former Army chief General Chettha Thanajaro is expected to succeed Snoh after he announced last week he would re-enter politics, a move seen as his imminent succession of Pracharaj Party leader Snoh.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30047153
Wisarut
04-09-07, 03:20 PM
Now, it is a time to look at Surakiat Sathianthai .... the back stabber.
When he was in Chart Thai Party he stabbed the back of Bunharn by givign an information about irregular financial transactions inside the defunct BBC Bank .... to Democrat Party durign the meetign at Hotel in Sukhumvit. This is an exchange to ensure that Ai Surakiat woudl not be under cesure in 1995.
Furthermore, Ia Maew get back stabbed byu Ee Surakiat due to the irregularity of finanacial transaction for Thai loan to Burmese Government to the Financial Committee ... along with the words whcih could tie Ai Maew to get ROyal Thunderbout on their head.
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6445/23/
Wait for surprise on Monday: Banharn
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said Friday that a surprise would be announced during a meeting of Chat Thai, Democrat and Mahachon parties on Monday.
He said the meeting at the Chon Ngern Chon Thong Restaurant would be host by Mahachon.
"And we will have a surprise :confused: to announce on that day," Banharn said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30048134
Somsak say merger of Matchima with other groups may be done next week
Somsak Thepsutin, leader of the Matchima Group, said the chance that his group would merge with other new political groups and form a new party was still as high as 90 per cent.
He said the merger could be done within next week.
Somsak declined to give further details before the merger, saying it could lead to confusion.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30048135
Baton Rouge
07-09-07, 06:58 PM
Oh, you mean the next PM might actually have to work for his living! :eek: Perish such a horrible thought! Obviously the idea of the PM-ship being little than an orgy of self-indulgence and gratuitous parish pump priming is far from dead.Next PM will be in trouble: Banharn
The next prime minister will be in trouble and unhappy, Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said Friday.
"I believe the next prime minister will be unlucky guy because he will be besieged with problems apart from facing restrictions of the new Constitution," the Chat Thai leader said.
When asked who he thought would be the next prime minister, Banharn replied: "I don't know but I know that the next prime minister will be unhappy."
The Nation
Sanan makes a birthday wish
Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachornprasart expressed confidence on Friday that the next prime minister would be one of his allies.
"We will wait until after the election result to decide who should get our support as the next prime minister. But I expect that person to come from our side," said Sanan.
He said there is an opportunity for his current three party alliance of Mahachon, Chat Thai and Democrat parties to join forces with other groups. However, this would depend on whether they have the same ideas as the three parties.
The veteran politician was speaking during a party to celebrate his 72nd birthday held at his house in Nonthaburi, where many leading politicians were among the wellwishers.
Sanan said that as a birthday gift, he wants all factions to cooperate to form the government after the next election.
He said his party has no candidate for the government leader's post, adding that he just wanted to have seats in Parliament.
Among the wellwishers present at Sanan's house were his political allies Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapaarcha, Chat Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul, Matchima group leader Somsak Thepsuthin, and other key members.
Ruam Jai Thai group's key figures Anek Laothmatas, Pradit Phattaraprasit and Pornthep Tejapaibool, Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong, Chalerm Yoobamrung and Prachamati Party leader Pramuan Rujanaseree also attended the birthday party.
Key members from the rival People Power Party(PPP) did not appear at the event.
However, PPP's Sudarat Keyuraphan's representative presented a flower bouquet, and former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's close aide also gave flowers to the Mahachon leader.
Chalerm said he hoped Sanan would become the "king maker" for the next government. The Mahachon leader smiled and thanked him.
Snoh said he was ready to work together with Sanan, adding they will be serving as "main pillars" for younger politicians.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/07/politics/politics_30048173.php
quietone
08-09-07, 09:46 AM
Snoh and Sanan working together! Something is going on.
See related post on Barnharn's idea of what he is billing as a pleasant surprise for the electorate on Monday. The below shows this ill-kept surprise has already been rescheduled for Tuesday, if we haven't already been told all we need to know by that time: :rolleyes:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=16921&postcount=28
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30048134
3 former opposition parties to display unity
Three former opposition parties will get together Tuesday to restore public confidence in their unity, Democrat Party spokesman Ongart Klampaiboon said Sunday.
The Mahachon Party will host a luncheon for the Democrat and Chat Thai parties at a Bangkok restaurant where they will talk about their political direction.
"I believe the public can depend on the three parties to manage the country through the political crisis,'' Ongart said.
He said there was no reason for the three parties to switch political camps. "They will continue working together for public interest,'' he said.
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa had earlier announced his party would not enter into any political alliance that would divide the country. His comment followed Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban's criticism of the Chat Thai for suggesting that rival parties should bury the hatchet after the general election.
........... The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/09/politics/politics_30048331.php
Another high-hurdle for the knackered old nags of local politics to negotiate?:
NLA to pass bill to prevent politicians' concealing assets
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will meet Wednesday to pass an anti conflict of interest bill aimed at preventing politicians from concealing assets with their relatives and unregistered wives, a source said.
NLA speaker Meechai Ruchuphan called an assembly of NLA members to deliberate the second and third readings on the bill of offences over conflicts of interest after an NLA committee headed by PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan completed the revision of the bill.
The committee decided to add to the first draft the definition of relatives to include inlaws of children and unregistered wives.
The first draft defined relatives as immediate and close family - grandparents, parents, descendants, siblings, uncles and aunts, while on the spouse's side it covers parents, grandparents, siblings and children of siblings.
Apart from the conflict of interest by bureaucrats and politicians, the bill will ban the use of state confidential information for vested interests, or the use of state assets for self interest.
The bill will seek to ban officials from approving state projects to favour anyone both directly and indirectly and also ban officials and their wives from influencing the decisions of authorities in charge of any state projects.
The bill will also punish those who receive benefits from any actions by state officials and their spouses.
Under this legislation, gifts, money and any assets that are given to state officials or their spouses for their official duties, even though the givers may state that the assets are given on a personal basis, must be seized by the state.//dpa
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/10/politics/politics_30048463.php
Panel targets end of money politics
Published on September 10, 2007
Prasong Soonsiri, chairman of the committee overseeing the vetting of three organic laws necessary for the general election to take place, said yesterday that tough measures should be included in order to succeed in launching a new round of political reform.
He pointed out that so-called money politics was the main obstacle as some politicians were not concerned about how they were elected.
This is undemocratic, he said. "If these parties have no democracy at heart, inside their party, how can society be democratic?" Prasong asked.
The former chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee warned that some politicians would do whatever it takes to win the election, so the three organic laws must be written in such a way as to maximise the penalty for electoral fraud.
The three laws cover the election, Election Commission (EC) and political parties.
The committee met yesterday and agreed that the presence of only three of the five commissioners is needed for an EC meeting to take place.
It also resolved to put into the draft organic law a requirement that a majority vote of four out of five commissioners is needed for the EC to revoke the right of any candidate to run for election.
An unresolved debate also took place about the limits that should be placed on political donations. Some members said a limit could only weaken a party but others recommended limiting the amount of money that an individual or legal entity could contribute, and reporting of donations to the anti-corruption agency.
Sutthirak Utthamontri
The Nation
Pattaya
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/10/politics/politics_30048352.php
Bt50m limit put on contributions
Published on September 11, 2007
Individuals and companies will be allowed to contribute no more than Bt50 million a year to any single political party, a National Legislative Assembly committee decided yesterday.
Some committee members opposed the decision, claiming it was tantamount to allowing big corporations and rich individuals to have unfair influence over political parties and may even legalise favouritism through awarding these contributors with state concessions.
"With Bt50 million, they will definitely reap the benefits later," said committee member Narong Chokewattana. "It's tantamount to legalising money politics."
Narong said he favoured limiting contributions to Bt10 million at the most.
Panellist Wuthipong Priebjariawat said even in the US, the ceiling was a mere Bt3.4 million or US$100,000 and South Korea had a similar sum.
Advocates of the Bt50-million ceiling said it would help to create transparency and enable the public to know who the influential supporters are in each party so that the public can keep a close eye on them.
"They call it transparency of political finance," said Borwornsak Uwanno, another committee member supportive of the Bt50-million limit. The committee then voted and those supporting a maximum of Bt50 million won overwhelmingly.
"This will put honest parties in a disadvantaged position," Narong told reporters after. "If some parties award contracts or concessions to donors, they won't receive a fat contribution. This is like money laundering."
Fellow committee member Praphan Koonmee disagreed and argued that the decision was essentially good. "If I'm guilty, would I be putting Bt50 million into the party coffers? They will surely be subject to debate. Only clean contributors are willing to reveal themselves."
But Praphan had no answer to what could be done with under-the-table contributions.
Several moves were also introduced to prevent possible abuses by political parties during yesterday's meeting to consider organic laws for parties.
Any political party found offering money or other forms of bribes to bring any individual into its party could face a maximum of two years' imprisonment or more than Bt40,000 in fines. Any person involved will also have their electoral rights revoked for five years.
The same penalty holds true for those eliciting money or other benefits that can be calculated into monetary sums in exchange for joining a political party.
The Election Commission, or anyone else, observing such irregularities could file charges against alleged wrongdoers.
People will also be forbidden from eliciting donations from a political party, subject to a fine of double the donation.
One committee member, feeling insecure about the new measures proposed for adoption, was Kanchana Silapa-archa, Chat Thai Party executive and daughter of party leader Banharn, who is known for his philanthropic work in his home province of Suphan Buri.
"Article 72 of the draft organic law on political parties makes it impossible for politicians to donate money to temples. For example, if I meet some poor people I can't give them money. I have to speak out and tell the committee that they are making politicians inhumane. We can't do any good at all," she said.
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation
Pattaya
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/11/headlines/headlines_30048534.php
Wisarut
11-09-07, 07:53 PM
Election COmission Refusing to Sing MOU with EU
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000107385
EU - the meddlesome factor on Thai Politics
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000107235
Wisarut
11-09-07, 08:01 PM
Enough for Constitutiuoin Allowing Politcal Dictator toi run for Election
FIrst Chapter
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000106377
End Chapter
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000106781
The Intellectuals who Advocate Constitutionism are the enemies of National Secuyrity and the obstructor for National Progress
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000106706
Governemnt should be a part of Solution, but NOT be a part of Problems
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000106728
Barnharn was leading us to expect something truly earth-shattering at the end of last week:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=16979&postcount=32
Banharn left at the altar
Published on September 12, 2007
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa was caught off guard yesterday when he realised he would be left with no big political surprise to offer reporters with the coming together of the former opposition parties.
Banharn had earlier expected to announce that the Pracharaj Party had decided to be a political ally with the three former opposition parties, but a few hours before their expected announcement, Pracharaj switched to join the new political bloc under Pua Paendin party, co-ordinated by former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai.
Only last week Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thiengthong told Banharn he wanted his party to be an ally with the three former opposition parties.
Banharn said he was dining with Snoh when the latter expressed an interest in joining with the three parties. He said Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva had also agreed with having Pracharat Party as a political ally.
He said the former three opposition parties then decided "to wait and see" before deciding whether to woo Snoh into its camp.
"They wanted everything to settle down first or the public would be confused,'' he said.
Abhisit said if the new bloc has the same political direction with the former opposition parties, his party does not mind having Snoh's group as an ally. "We would like all political groups to show their stance which camp they are with so that it is easier for voters to decide which party to vote for," he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/12/politics/politics_30048649.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/12/p1news/images/30048663-01.jpg
[Photo: The Nation - A group of veteran politicians including, from left, Lalita Rerksamran, Vatana Asavahame, Somsak Thepsuthin, Snoh Thienthong, Surakiart Sathirathai, Suwit Khunkitti and Pinij Jarusombat announce the formation of “For the Motherland” group at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.]
http://www.bangkokpost.com/120907_front.jpg
[Photo: Bangkok Post -FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Veteran politician Vattana Asavahame, Matchima leader Somsak Thepsuthin, Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong, former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai, and Reconciliation group member Suvit Khunkitti demonstrate their unity at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre yesterday after officially announcing their membership of the newly-formed Puea Pandin party. — SOMCHAI POOMLARD]
Snoh ready to help the Motherland
Published on September 12, 2007
Pracharaj to change name to aid the new 'third force'
Political veteran Snoh Thienthong is willing to change the name of his Pracharaj Party to the Pua Paendin Party (For the Motherland Party), which is currently a gathering of former Thai Rak Thai Party members trying hard to break away from Thaksin Shinawatra's legacy while continuing to remain politically significant.
Suwit Khunkitti, a key member of the Saman Chan Group, told a press conference yesterday organised by the Pua Paendin umbrella group that "it is possible" the party could be revamped to include a new line-up of executives, as well as a new leader.
The press conference was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai brokered talks between various political groups aiming to be the so-called "third force" on the political landscape.
Suwit said that instead of the registering For the Motherland Party as a brand-new party, which would take considerable time, the For the Motherland Group could just merge with Snoh's Pracharaj Party and then change its name afterwards.
Snoh announced at the press conference that he was willing "for the sake of the country" to sacrifice the party he had created with his own hands.
"I do not want to cling to power forever," said Snoh, to a big round of applause from about 200 politicians looking to join the new group that has yet to finalise its name.
Suwit is expected to continue his high-profile role and might have to take up the post as leader of this new party if a new leader cannot be found in time.
Leading members of this so-called "third force" had tried to lobby United Nations Conference on Trade and Development secretary-general Supachai Panitchpakdi to become the party leader.
Suwit and Snoh are both former Thai Rak Thai members who had left prior to the five-year ban on the party's executives in May 2007.
Suwit was tight-lipped as to what specific role he would assume. When asked to predict how many seats the new party could expected to gain from the next general election, he replied: "That depends on the decision of the people."
When asked if he had ruled out joining the People Power Party, which is made up of Thaksin loyalists, Suwit also dodged the question, saying it was "still a long way from now".
Matchima Group leader Somsak Thepsuthin echoed Snoh in saying he was willing to make the needed sacrifice.
"It would be selfish of me to quit politics at this point in time," said Somsak, who is also banned for five years.
There was plenty of praise and admiration yesterday for Snoh, Surakiart and the three leaders of the Saman Chan group - Suwit, Pinij Jarusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana.
Surakiart insisted that the For the Motherland umbrella group was a fresh start and was not a continuation of the old power, be it the junta or the Thaksin regime.
Suwit dismissed reports that Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin would become the party chief.
Sucheera Pinijparakarn,
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/12/politics/politics_30048668.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/19/p1news/images/30049469-01.jpg
[Photo: The Nation - Founding members celebrate the formation of the Artist Party yesterday. It plans to encourage the public to help solve the country’s major problems.]
... but never once a party that will make a kick-arse contribution in opposition!
Wisarut
20-09-07, 12:14 PM
Khun Nongnuj Singhadecha of Matichon daily has warned thsoe Palang Prachachon men as well as other politicians NOT to instigate the conflicts between rural poor (grassroot) and the Middle class people for their own political gain ... This could create the Killing Field in Thailand! :eek:
http://matichon.co.th/matichon/matichon_detail.php?s_tag=01act03200950&day=2007-09-20§ionid=0130
:eek:
Chalerm 'package' a problem for party
Published on September 23, 2007
People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej seems uneasy about the prospect of a son of political veteran Chalerm Yubamrung joining the party as a package along with his father.
Samak said yesterday he welcomed Chalerm but the matter of his son would need to be discussed "internally" and there would not be a press conference about it.
Since at least one of Chalerm's sons has a reputation for being a bully with a violent temper, which doesn't sit well with Bangkok voters, some veteran politicians from the capital believe it would be bad for the new party's image, which is already under attack.
"We proposed a condition to the party that if Chalerm is joining he should come alone. Two of his sons may be able to run in Nakhon Phanom, which was the political base of the [now defunct] New Aspiration Party. Chalerm shouldn't run as a party-list candidate while having his son run in Bangkok too," a source said.
Chalerm used to be an executive of the New Aspiration Party.
The source said that before Chalerm's recent visit to London, amid conjecture that he might have met ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Samak supposedly summoned some Bangkok party members and told them that if Chalerm's son ran in the city it would be "unacceptable to Bangkokians".
Anek Laothammathat, leader of the Ruam Jai Thai-Chat Pattana group, discounted speculation that Chalerm had gone to London to crack a deal with Thaksin for General Chavalit Yongchaiyuth to defect from his political group to the People Power Party, which is widely thought to be under Thaksin's influence.
He said that as Chavalit was a man of his word and wanted to see reconciliation in the country it was unlikely he would want to jump ship to the People Power Party.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/23/politics/politics_30049925.php
quietone
23-09-07, 11:16 AM
He said that as Chavalit was a man of his word and wanted to see reconciliation in the country it was unlikely he would want to jump ship to the People Power Party.
Wasnt Mr. Thaksin heard commenting on wouldn't a billion buy a general recently?
It seems I was being far too easy on Samak yesterday. His old pitbull tendencies have come distinctly to the fore again in the last day:
Coup caused havoc, Samak complains
Published on September 24, 2007
People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej hit out at the Council for National Security yesterday, claiming the coup that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra a year ago had created havoc.
Samak, speaking to reporters at his home in Nawamin, said the coup makers had created havoc in every field, especially the judiciary. "They brought the Supreme Court president to be Justice Minister and court secretary-general to be Justice Ministry permanent secretary, another judge to the Department of Special Investigation and four judges to be Election Commissioners," he said.
They also made another judge a member of an Assets Examination Committee panel that leaked information to newspapers. He alleged the wife of a judge also accepted a kickback.
Samak said his party would welcome Chalerm Yoobamrung as an ally if he wished to join. "Chalerm and I have been good friends. He can come in, no problem."
However, he refused to comment on reports General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh would become chief adviser to the People Power Party.
Samak also hit back at alleged moves to prevent People Power Party getting media coverage, saying reporters should interview him to see if he would get publicity. He called on the government to lift martial law, saying it was necessary as political parties were in the run-up to a general election.
Meanwhile, Chalerm admitted yesterday he had met former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in London but claimed they did not talk about politics. "My sons and I went to England only to watch football - we did not intend to meet Thaksin," he said.
Chalerm denied he went as a nominee of Chavalit to make a deal with Thaksin. "I was not [a nominee]. I don't have enough importance," he said.
He added that he had not decided to return to politics with any particular party and said he was not a member of the People Power party. Chalerm said he would announce his political future after Chavalit clarified his situation.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/24/politics/politics_30050001.php
Sanoh looking forward to working with Chavalit
(BangkokPost.com) – Leader of Pracharaj party Sanoh Thienthong has affirmed that former premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh made it clear he has no plans of joining the People’s Power party (PPP).
Mr Sanoh stated while being interviewed on a television programme that he had discussed Gen Chavalit’s possible role with the Pracharaj party but denied that he will be given the leadership post.
He also reiterated his party’s stance on the old power clique, especially ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, insisting that Pracharaj party is not “Thaksin’s arch enemy” but “is unable to work with him because he is Thailand’s most wanted person.”
Asked whether he was concerned about working with Gen Chavalit, since he was asked by Mr Thaksin to act as a political mediator between opposing sides, Mr Sanoh said he did not want to make matters worse by speculating.
“Gen Chavalit said that he will help me," he said. "Let’s just leave it at that.”
May expire soon:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122003
25 September 2007
New Alternative Party Leader still unclear about his political future
Leader of the New Alternative Party, Pol.Capt.Chalerm Yubamrung (เฉลิม อยู่บำรุง), says he has yet decided to join other political groups or parties, adding that his political future will be clearer before October, 13th.
Regarding ex-Prime Minister Gen.Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (เชาวลิต ยงใจยุทธ)’s decision to work with the Royal People Party, Pol.Capt. Chalerm says Gen.Chavalit has the right to decide which party he will join. He adds that former premier is a good person and open-minded.
The New Alternative Party leader affirms he has not been approached by other political groups and says candidates for members of the parliament from his party have a tendency to be elected.
In response to his trip to the United Kingdom to meet with deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Pol.Capt.Chalerm says they did not discuss politics as he sympathized with Mr Thaksin who wanted to return to Thailand.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter05
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255009250011
PRACHARAJ PARTY TURMOIL
Pracharaj party in turmoil after Prachai resigns
The Pracharaj party appeared to be in turmoil after its financier Prachai Leophairatana and the Matchima faction decided to quit the party.
Prachai and a group of former senators including Karun Saingam, Intarat Yodbangtoei held a press conference at Pracharaj party headquarters on Friday.
Prachai said his ideology "contradicted" the policies of party leader Snoh Thienthong. He said he may join another party, adding that he would announce a decision on his political future on Monday - but admitted that he may team up with the Matchima Thippatai party.
Meanwhile, the Matchima group, which only merged with Pracharaj party last month, will hold a meeting at the residence of Somsak Thepsuthin, the former leader of Matchima group to announce their departure from the Pracharaj Party.
It is reported that Prachai and Korn Dabbaransi will attend the meeting.
Pracharaj party secretary-general, Anongwan Thepsuthin said she was still undecided and will call on her members to talk about her political future today.
However, she said the resignation of Prachai might be the result of an interview Snoh gave on Thursday, when he said that if Prachai is so good at economics, it would not be difficult for him to form his own party.
Anongwan and about 50 members came from Matchima group before merging with Pracharaj.
Snoh refused to comment on Prachai's resignation, but said he would go on working as Pracharaj Party leader and would not talk about any person who has left the party.
"I always say the Pracharaj Party will select good people to work with us and help solve the country's problems," the Pracharaj leader said.
There was a rumour that the Chat Thai party has attempted to approach Snoh to join with them, but Snoh was tightlipped on the subject.
Sophon Phetsawang, the deputy party leader, said if Anongwan quit from Pracharaj all the members from Matchima will quit too.
"If we decide to quit we will move to the Matchima Thippatai party," he said, adding that Prachai would be welcome if he want to join.
Thippatai said that Prachai could lead the party because his qualifications "were outstanding." Meanwhile, a source from Pracharaj said most members had wanted Prachai to lead the party because Snoh's image could not lead the party to victory. Moreover, Snoh had previously disagreed with policies that members proposed and he also made the decision to select the candidates by himself.
Snoh's close aide said he was upset with Prachai because he had published new policies for the party without discussing them with Snoh.
"All policies should be forwarded to academics before being presented to the people, but Prachai just went ahead and published them via the print media," the source said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/05/politics/politics_30051488.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/05/politics/politics_30051488.php
The power of love
Published on October 15, 2007
Love among politicians is so dramatic, so torrid, so fleeting. They discover mutual love and fall passionately into one another's arms.
They match their horoscopes ("sharing the same ideology") and rush to loop the sacred thread and pour the lustral water. But even before they move into the bridal house, there is a tiff. The promised dowry was not delivered in full. The horoscope ("ideology") was falsified. Disillusion turns to retribution. Divorce is completed by ritually cursing each other with the names of inauspicious animals.
This year, these dramas have seemed more comic than romantic. Perhaps that is because they are being played by puppets rather than actors. The looming election has to be staged among political parties, but the real contest is between the junta and its supporters on one side, and Thaksin on the other. The manipulators are behind the curtain. All the canoodling, copulating and cursing in public does not matter because we know these are only the shadows of bits of wood and leather.
In the real contest, there is still everything to play for, and the game will be brutal. On one side, the Democrats have their firm base in the South. On the other, the Thaksinites have a loyal core in the North and Northeast. But there is a squishy middle of at least 200 parliamentary seats, enough to decide the result.
These local candidates approach the poll with two objectives: to get elected, and to end up in the ruling coalition. Only by achieving both these aims can they become an ambassador from their territory to the seat of power and so deliver to their constituents. Achieving both these aims simultaneously is always tricky. Getting elected requires money - to hire an electioneering team, pay for publicity, and bring down a monsoon on the eve of election day. The national parties are ready to provide funding to secure a good candidate as a member in their party. But to get elected and find yourself in the wrong party is almost as bad as not getting elected at all. You cannot deliver to your constituents, and they will resent having given you their support. This second objective requires skill in prediction.
Since the decentralisation of local government began around a decade ago, local electioneering has become more sophisticated. There are a lot more elections - of MPs, municipal councillors, tambon and provincial administrative organisations, and village headmen. These are all inter-linked. For someone seeking election to a local post, it helps to have the support of an MP who is well known as a "big" man and who can bring goods from the capital to the locality. For an MP candidate, it helps to have henchmen installed in the key posts of local government because they now control significant funding for local projects. Most provinces have sprouted electoral-machine alliances, which link together headmen, local government politicians and national politicians.
In some provinces, one such machine has a virtual local monopoly. Its members win everything. In the negotiations over party alignment, such monopoly machines are in a powerful position. If a party wants to win in that province, then it has to deal with this gang. They can sell to the highest bidder. But they still need skill in casting the political horoscope to tell which parties will eventually form the coalition.
But such monopoly situations are rare. More often there is some competition between rival families, business interests, or towns. Local dominance can shift because people fall out, family fortunes fluctuate, or new deals are made. In these places, the decision over party alignment at the general election is much trickier. Choosing the wrong party might result in an opponent gaining the financial support and the party label which make all the difference at the poll.
At this election, the local candidate's choice of party alignment is even trickier. There are not just two variables, but four.
First, there is certainly the money. Thaksin has to spend in order to gain some political influence to stem the judicial assault which threatens to deprive him and his family of wealth and freedom. Prachai Leophairatana has publicly claimed that he can match Thaksin's spending. That's quite a boast. The junta believes it has the right and duty to spend public money to oppose Thaksin. It funded political subversion of Thaksin's support in the Northeast. It used public money to support its referendum campaign. We must assume that this trend will continue in the election, given the implications of the outcome.
Second, voter loyalty matters. In parts of the North and Northeast, Thaksin has achieved the same kind of emotional attachment that the Democrats have in the South. The degree differs from place to place. Gauging it is difficult.
Third, official pressure will play a big role. The new electoral laws outlaw almost everything that passed as electioneering in the past. Spending is capped. Postering is controlled. Rallies are subject to strict rules. The penalties for infringement are high. These rules place big power in the hands of the Election Commission and the Interior Ministry.
Fourth, predicting the likely form of the upcoming coalition is very difficult. In the classic pattern, potential candidates lie doggo like a pile of rocks until one leader manages to start an avalanche, which they then join. In 2001, Thaksin persuaded enough of them he was the man of the moment and the man with the money to win by a landslide. Today, the picture is less clear. Many candidates will be drawn towards parties which could jump either way in the coalition bargaining.
Perhaps the decisive moment will come when the puppeteer breaks the illusion and bursts onto the stage.
The 2006 coup was the first time since the Sarit coup of 1957 that a tank coup had succeeded. Sarit installed a civilian government, but a year later staged another coup and installed himself. Will we see something similar achieved through the electoral process? Ah, the love of power.
chang noi
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/15/opinion/opinion_30052424.php
nganadeeleg
15-10-07, 05:25 AM
Perhaps the decisive moment will come when the puppeteer breaks the illusion and bursts onto the stage
Presumably he is talking about Sonthi B?
The 2006 coup was the first time since the Sarit coup of 1957 that a tank coup had succeeded. Sarit installed a civilian government, but a year later staged another coup and installed himself. Will we see something similar achieved through the electoral process? Ah, the love of power.
Unfortunately Sonthi B would not look out of place in a field of candidates where someone like Samak is considered a leading (let alone credible) contender.
OR, was he talking about some other puppeteer?
A Bitsa' party! Bitsa' this, bitsa that! Perhaps another Thai Ruk Thai-style fiasco in in the making! If the money is there, it might hold together for a while::rolleyes:
Pracharaj, Matchima Thippatai, Ruamjai Thai Chat Pattana to merge
The Pracharaj, Matchima Thippatai and Ruamjai Thai Chat Pattana have agreed to merge into one party, Korn Dabaransi said Saturday.
Korn said an official press conference will be held Sunday to announce the merger.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30053203
English folk song "Widdecombe Fair"
Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse lend me your grey mare,
All along, down along, out along lee.
For us wants to go to Widdecombe Fair,
Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh 'un all,
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh 'un all.
Pracharaj, Matchima Thippatai, Ruamjai Thai Chat Pattana to merge
Following rifts and failed attempts to merge earlier, the Pracharaj, Matchima Thippatai and Ruamjai Thai Chat Pattana Saturday agreed to merge into one party, Pracharaj deputy leader Korn Dabaransi said.
The leader of the merged party and other details will be worked out and known within the next 24 hours, he said.
Korn made the announcement after a meeting of leaders and leading members of the three parties at his house.
The three parties aborted their initial attempts to merge and form a party since Matchima Thippatai and and Ruamjai Thai Chat Pattana were simply groups of former MPs because they could not agree on leadership and power sharing.
Attending the meeting were Matchima Thippatai leader Prachai Liewpairaj and Matchima Thippatai's Anongwan Thepsutin and Somsak Thepsutin.
Apart from Korn, Pracharaj leader Snoh Thienthong and Chianchuang Kalayanamitr, Aram Lohveera, as well as Suchart Bandasak also represented Pracharaj to attend the meeting..
Bannawit Kengrian represented the Ruamjai Thai Chat Pattana to the meeting.
Korn said an official press conference will be held Sunday to announce the merger.
Prachai said he decided to merge his party with the two others after seeing a picture of late former prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan with other veteran politicians.
Prachai said he believed that Chatichai would like politicians in these three parties to work together.
Snoh appeared under tension and declined to talk to reporters after the meeting.
Earlier, Prachai led a mass defection from Snoh's Pracharaj to set up the Matchima Thippatai. Snoh and Prachai since then exchanged public criticisms several times.
The merger was announced just a day after a group of Matchima Thippatai announced it would leave the party out of dissatisfaction against what they called Prachai's dictatorship.
Some of them, including Sophon Phetsawang, a former deputy leader of the Matchima Thippatai, have already left the party to join the For the Motherland Party.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/20/politics/politics_30053204.php
A Bitsa' party! Bitsa' this, bitsa that! Perhaps another Thai Ruk Thai-style fiasco in in the making! If the money is there, it might hold together for a while::rolleyes:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30053203
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/20/politics/politics_30053204.php
Perhaps the rest of the song is even more prophetic!
http://www.lawrences.co.uk/Catalogues/fa060406/lot453.jpg
Widdecombe Fair
Chorus:
Wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer
Peter Gurney, Peter Davey
Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
Tom Pearce, Tom Pearce, lend me your grey mare
All along down along out along lee
Us wants to go to Widdecombe Fair
Why, when again will I see my grey mare
All along down along out along lee
By Friday noon or Saturday soon
Friday came and Saturday soon
All along down along out along lee
Tom's grey mare she ne'er did come home
So Tom he went up to the top of the hill
All along down along out along lee
And there he sees his mare making her will
Tom's grey mare she up sick and died
All along down along out along lee
And Tom sat down on a stone and he cried
And all the night long there'd be skirling and groans
All along down along out along lee
Of Tom's grey mare and the rattling bones of
When the wind whistles cold on the moors at night
All along down along out along lee
Tom's grey mare doth appear ghastly white
http://www.mysongbook.de/msb/songs/w/widdecom.html
There doesn't seem to be much cohesion at all amongst these groups:
Defection shows rift in Matchimathipatai
PRADIT RUANGDIT SURASAK GLAHAN
Sophon Phetsawang, a key member of the Matchimathipatai party, defected to the newly-established Puea Pandin party amid signs of growing rifts in Matchimathipatai.
Mr Sophon, former deputy leader of the Matchimathipatai, cited yesterday ideological differences as the reason for quitting the party led by industrial tycoon Prachai Leophairatana.
He said Somsak Thepsuthin, founder of the Matchima group, which was later changed to Matchimathipatai party, wanted to carry out political work under the Buddhist philosophy of the middle path. However, things had changed after Mr Prachai was elected party leader.
With Mr Prachai as leader, the party's ideology had changed from the middle path to the polarisation of power, said Mr Sophon.
Mr Prachai favoured opinions of the faction belonging to the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), an anti-Thaksin Shinawatra group. This was giving way to divisiveness and voters did not want to see the party split, he said.
Several Matchimathipatai members were uncomfortable with the direction the party was taking, he added.
Sakhorn Prompakdi said he and seven other members would leave the party on Oct 24 to join the Ruamjaithai Chartpattana party. His group could not stand working with Matchimathipatai since the party was now dominated by Mr Prachai and the PAD faction.
Santi Tansuhat, another party member, said he had told Mr Somsak about his plan to leave the party to join the Puea Pandin party.
A source said several party members were not happy with the role of some PAD figures in the party, particularly Karun Sai-ngarm, a former Buri Ram senator, who was close to Mr Prachai.
Mr Prachai indicated he could not care less about Mr Sophon's departure from his party. Mr Karun yesterday denied the PAD has wielded much influence over the party's affairs.
The Pracharaj party, meanwhile, elected a new executive board with Chianchuang Kalayanamitr, a cousin of deputy permanent secretary for defence Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, as the party secretary-general.
Sanoh Thienthong was again elected party leader, said a source.
The new board was needed after Mr Prachai and some party members left Pracharaj to join Matchimathipatai.
Meanwhile, the People Power party (PPP) yesterday unveiled potential candidates for Bangkok in the Dec 23 general election.
Among them are children and relatives of political figures including Natipoom Navaratna, the 27-year-old son of National Legislative Assembly member Nitipoom Navaratna, said deputy party spokesman Danuphorn Punnakanta.
Mr Nitipum played a part in the People's Alliance for Democracy campaign to oust then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, prior to the Sept 19 coup last year which toppled Mr Thaksin.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=122803
Pradit denies merger with two other parties
(BangkokPost.com) - Pradit Phataraprasit, a core member of the Ruamjaithai Chartpattana party, denied on Saturday that he planned to merge with Pracharaj and Matchimathipatai parties.
His response came after Korn Dabbaransi of Pracharaj announced a merger of the three parties.
Mr Pradit said he did receive a phone call from Mr Korn but did not agree he will join the merger.
Mr Korn arrived at that conclusion himself, Mr Pradit said.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122813
Banharn: Some try to buy members of his party
(BangkokPost.com) - Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa said some political parties have tried to buy his party members to join them.
Mr Banharn said, however, that none of his members have defected Chart Thai so far.
He said he will prevent such problems from happening by communicating more to his members.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122812
POLITICAL MUSICAL CHAIRS
Three parties 'to merge' Prachai and Snoh factions said to be getting back together, plus Ruam Jai
Published on October 21, 2007
Yesterday's news of the surprise merger of three small political parties - Pracharaj, Matchima Thippatai and Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana - was quickly quashed by one of them.
"This is not the way of the Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana Party," its secretary-general Pradit Pattaraprasit told a press conference only hours after the story broke.
"We did declare our policies and anyone wishing to join us is welcome," he said.
The claim by Admiral Bannawit Kaengrian, a National Legislative Assembly member, of representing the party at a supposed meeting of the three parties was also false, he said, adding that Bannawit was not even a member of the party.
"He only has himself to blame for ruining his credibility," he said.
Earlier at 10am the leaders of Pracharaj and Matchima Thippatai did get together.
Pracharaj leader Snoh Thienthong and deputy leader Korn Dabbaransi joined with Matchima Thippatai leader Prachai Leophairatana and other key members of the party. Bannawit was also present.
The little gathering took place at the home of Democrat Party member Kraisak Chonhavan.
Kraisak, an old friend of Korn, said he had gone to see a dentist.
He said there was no special meaning to the venue, which was formerly the house of the late prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan, his father.
Mahachon leader Sanan Kachornprasart was believed to have been invited, but declined. He was quoted as saying politics at the moment was still in a state of flux.
Korn said if the spirit of Chatichai were around, he would have loved to see the three parties combine.
This comes as the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra People Power Party is now seen as having mustered as much voter acceptance as the Democrat Party, if not more.
If the three small parties can meld into a bigger force, it will likely play a crucial role in determining which of the two big parties will form the next government in case the votes are close.
"The three parties have the same ideology and we're ready to hold a dialogue with all parties," Korn said.
Just days ago, Prachai and Snoh were caught in a very public exchange of accusations where Snoh was called a big-time vote-buyer by Prachai, while Prachai, who used to be a petrochemical tycoon, was branded as a political rookie too naive to succeed in the rough-and-tumble world of electioneering.
A source close to Prachai said the merger would be beneficial to all three parties.
Korn said the leader of this new entity should be identified within 24 hours and a committee has been set up to work it out. He discounted himself as a candidate for the next prime minister, however.
He refused to say whether the planned union was part of a plot for the new party to act as a proxy of the military coup-makers to extend their grip on power beyond the election.
This speculative angle was dismissed by Pracharaj executive Chianchuang Kalayanamitr, who said the only connection was that he had worked for the PR team of the Council for National Security - as the junta is called - but there was nothing more to it.
Korn tried to prevent reporters from asking other staff about the meeting.
Snoh refused to answer reporters' questions after the meeting. The media were told that today, at 11am, there would be another statement made at Snoh's residence.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/21/headlines/headlines_30053225.php
Thai TV Channels were this afternoon indicating that Pracharaj has been making overtures to the leader of the Democrats, Khun Aphisit - who has apparently not showed much enthusiasm so far. Indeed, he seems to be indicating that he would be reluctant to make any such move towards 'cooperation/merger' without consulting his parties grassroots membership:
Merger of three parties suspended
The merger of the Pracharaj, Matchima Thippatai and Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana will be suspended until after the December 23 election, Pracharaj deputy leader Korn Dabaransi said.
He made the announcement a day after leading members of the three parties announce that they would merge the three parties into one.
Korn said there was not enough time for the three parties to merge because the election decree would take effect soon and the new merged party would not have enough time for making preparations for the election.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30053242
This is what happened (or didn't happen) this morning:
Media stalk Sanoh Thienthong's home
(BangkokPost.com) - All eyes were on Sanoh Thienthong's home at Muang Thong Thani this morning as the media tried to separate rumours from truth about a possible merger among three parties - Mr Sanoh's Pracharaj, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Matchimathipatai.
Media camped outside the Pracharaj party leader's home said that leaders of the three parties did not show up to a meeting reportedly scheduled at 11am today.
Gen Chetta Thanajaro is currently the leader of Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party while Prachai Leophairatana was recently selected to head Matchimathaipatai after he defected from Mr Sanoh's party.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122833
Democrats unfazed by political mergers
(BangkokPost.com) – The Democrat party has maintained its indifference to news that various parties are planning to join forces to contest the general election, but said in general that mergers are good for politics.
Democrat party spokesman Ong—art Klampaiboon admitted that such was "the nature of politics" and that he welcomed all new mergers.
"It would be a good thing if more parties merged because the people would have more choices."
At a press conference held on Sunday morning, Ong-art insisted that political mergers will not be regarded as a threat because the Democrat party has years of political experience under its belt.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122839
If vague TITV brief news reports are anything to go by, it looks like Korn Dabarangsri is going to make some major statement at some point this evening. I would imagine it will be either a resignation as Deputy Leader of Pracharaj or even a complete retirement from politics. All I got from this is that Korn says he is going to "stop". the tone did not suggest that this meant he would 'remain' in the position, so expect some bitter fireworks that talk of betrayal of HM, the nation, the people .......... :cool: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Full list of party-list candidacy numbers following lot dra